George Pickens faces a major contract decision with the Dallas Cowboys, and a franchise legend is weighing in. Former running back Emmitt Smith offered direct advice on the path the wide receiver should take.

Former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith believes there is a clear path forward. Dak Dynasty shared the update on X on Friday.

“Take the one-year deal … He should be motivated to play at a high level,” Smith said, according to the X post. “And I’m telling you George: you’re not going to go to too many places that’s going to be like Dallas, or Texas.”

Smith added that Dallas offers Pickens a better situation and long-term opportunity.

With the Dallas Cowboys placing the franchise tag on George Pickens, the clock is officially ticking.

Both sides now have until July 15 to strike a long-term deal, or the Pro Bowler will suit up on the tag, a one-year payday worth roughly $27 million in 2026.

Dallas has seen similar situations in recent years. In 2024, both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb dealt with contract talks, while Micah Parsons had his own situation in 2025, leading to a departure.

Interestingly, the only player last to be tagged among these was Prescott in 2020 and 2021.

That is why this situation stands out again. The longer it continues, the more it can affect focus going into the year.

That also brings up how players usually handle franchise tag situations across the league.

Dallas Cowboys' Recent Franchise Tag History

The franchise tag often puts players in a tough spot. While it offers short-term security, it also limits their control over contracts.

That is why many players choose a clear path instead of dragging talks into the season.

Le’Veon Bell is one of the few players who chose a different path by sitting out a full year. His holdout serves as a cautionary tale for players considering their options.

The last two players to be franchise tagged by the Cowboys (Tony Pollard and Dalton Schultz) eventually left in free agency. That might not be the precedent Cowboys fans want to have.

For Dallas, this is about keeping things stable before the season starts. For Pickens, it comes down to timing. Signing now could avoid distractions and give him a full season to build his case.

Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote